* <eat name="Havnens Perle" alt="" address="Sverigesgade 1A" directions="" phone="+45 86 13 22 56" email="" fax="" url="http://www.havnensperle.dk" hours="" price="">Located at the habour. This place has been awarded the best danish barbecue restaurant in Aarhus. Enjoy a fresh made burger, hotdogs or a traditional danish meal with pork, potatoes and loads of cream sauce. A main meal is around 68 DKK and they serve more roadhouse-style food than restaurant - ensure you check out the website before making the trip out there.</eat>

+

* <eat name="Havnens Perle" alt="" address="Sverigesgade 1A" directions="" phone="+45 86 13 22 56" email="" fax="" url="http://www.havnensperle.dk" hours="" price="">Located at the harbour. This place has been awarded the best danish barbecue restaurant in Aarhus. Enjoy a fresh made burger, hotdogs or a traditional danish meal with pork, potatoes and loads of cream sauce. A main meal is around 68 DKK and they serve more roadhouse-style food than restaurant - ensure you check out the website before making the trip out there.</eat>

Revision as of 15:18, 22 June 2010

Århus, (pronounced: Oar-Hoos) is the main city on the Jutland peninsula in Denmark. With a population of just over 240,000 people (1,200,000 East Jutland metropolitan area) it also holds the title of Denmark's second largest city.

Understand

Århus offers an elegant mix of cosmopolitan city and quaint small town charm, with wonderful pubs, restaurants and romantic places. The average age of its inhabitants is among the lowest in Europe. This is mainly because of the large student population.

The tourist office is located just to the left of the main train station. It's called "Visit Aarhus" [45].

Some interesting facts:

There are many plans of highrises in Århus, including the future tallest building in Denmark (Lighthouse -142 meters).

Århus is part of the East Jutland Metropolitan area, which has the by far fastest growing population in Denmark.

Århus has a big, well known cultural festival week, called "Århus Festuge" (Aarhus Festival) [46].

Århus has for many years been known as a nesting box for Danish musicians and bands, primarily in main stream pop and rock music.

Århus is known as The City of Smiles (da. Smilets By). It probably just started as a slogan to improve the city's image, but it has nevertheless caught on, and has for many years been a common nickname for the city.

Århus is also known as The City of Cafés - visit the city and you will soon know why.

Tourist Information Office (across from the railway station) pick up the leaflet "Århus - five historical walks". The walks are all really short and you could do them all easily in a day as they are all in the city centre.

Talk

The Danes are reserved towards strangers, but friendly towards tourists, and will normally be happy to give you directions and advice in fluent English.

Get in

By train

Trains run 1-2 times an hour from Copenhagen (København) to Aarhus and takes about three hours. Adult fare is DKK 324, an addition DKK 30 to reserve a seat. Discounts are available for persons 25 years old or younger (if buying a WildCard at the expense of 180 DKK) or older than 65 years. Also, discounts can be obtained by buying Orange Tickets some weeks in advance. Details on DSB's homepage [47].

It is also possible to catch a train to any other part of the Jutland peninsula, or occasionally to Hamburg, though connections are usually bad.

Tickets used in trains are also usable in buses, and if you are travelling from Copenhagen, you can use your ticket for the rest of the day to get around Århus at no extra expense.

By boat

By plane

Aarhus Airport, Tirstrup[51] is approx. 45 minutes bus-ride away. Airport buses [52] arrive and leave from Banegårdspladsen in front of the railway station, a one-way ticket costs 90 DKK. Tickets are sold on the bus. Accepted currencies are; Norwegian Crowns, US Dollars, Pounds and Euro. Major Credit Cards are also accepted.

Aarhus airport is serviced by a number of major European airlines; flights from London are serviced also by the low-cost flight provider Ryanair, which has been known to provide fares as low as 1p per(one-way)trip.

Get around

The entire city is clean and well organized, making walking an excellent and enjoyable way to get around.

Rent a bike in Bikes4Rent [54] or better yet, borrow a free City Bike, available around in the city. You need to insert a DKK 20 coin, which you get back when leaving the bike in another "bike station" (not available during winter months).

Bus tickets for travel within the city limits (Århus Kommune limits) are 18 DKK, 9 DKK if you are under 16 years of age [55]. Tickets are also available in 10-trip tickets, that vary in price depending on how far you want to go (115 DKK - 560 DKK (115 - 210 within Århus Limits), cheaper cards are also available for under 16 year olds). Finally there are tickets that allow you to ride all you want for 30 days, again prices vary depending on how far you want to go.

You can also buy a cheap Aarhus Pass[56] which covers all bus transport and all the museums.

Taxi

See

Anyone who appreciates seeing European architecture will find many points of interest in the city, not least the Concert Hall ("Musikhuset" from 1982 by Johan Richter), which is located next door to the new art museum ARoS.

Den Gamle By (The Old Town), Viborgvej 2, ☎+45 86 12 31 88, [3]. Collection of 75 original Danish buildings dating from 1597 to 1909 moved to create an open-air museum village; there are shops and restaurants, some true to the period.

Moesgaard Museum, Moesgård Allé 20 (Take bus 6 South), ☎+45 89 42 11 00, [5]. Apr-Oct 10-17, Nov-Mar Tu-Su 10-16. Is a good place to study Danish prehistory, the main attractions are two finds from the Iron Age - the Grauballe Man, the only completely preserved bog body, and the impressive sacrifices of weapons from Illerup Ådal. 60 DKK.

Rådhuset (The Town Hall), Rådhuspladsen 2, ☎+45 89 40 20 00‎, [6]. by the famous architect Arne Jacobsen is one of the highlights of Danish architecture. Don't miss the Grisebrønden statue (the well of the pigs) with the drooling and peeing pigs, located in the Town Hall Square.

The University Park by C.F.Møller, Kaj Fisker,(buildings) and C. Th. Sørensen (landscape) is another noteworthy piece of architecture. Here you find the State Library, a Natural History Museum[60] and the Steno Museum[61] with collections on science and medicine.

Vor Frue Kirke, Vestergade 21, ☎+45 86 12 12 43, [7]. Church with an interesting crypt church in the basement, built about 1060. It is one of the oldest still existing stone churches in Scandinavia, maybe the oldest.

Århus Domkirke (Aarhus Cathedral), Domkirkepladsen 2, ☎+45 86 20 54 00, [8]. May-Sep 9.30-16,Oct-Apr 10-15. The beautiful cathedral is over 800 years old, and the longest in Denmark. Next to it, Aarhus Cathedral School is situated, also over 800 years old and the oldest still existing high-school in the world.

Do

Enjoy one of the many nature offerings, all of which can be reached by foot from the city: Botanisk Have (The Botanical Garden), Universitetsparken (The University Park), Vennelystparken, Riis Skov (Riis Forest) or Havreballe Skov (Havreballe Forest). The beautiful 8 km. stretch of forest south of the city is equally suited for a hike, especially the old forest around the Moesgård Museum and Skovmøllen (Forest Mill). The Brabrand Lake is ideal for biking and rollerskating, as there are 10 km of flat paths without any car traffic.

Theatre & Cinema

For independent and european cinema, visit Øst for Paradis [69]. For mainstream movies, visit Cinemaxx [70] in Bruuns Galleri, Biocity [71] opposite from the train station or Metropol [72] in Trøjborg.

Huset (The House), Vestrbros Torv 1-3, ☎+45 86 76 20 00, [18]. M-Th 9-21,F 9-16. You can make your own artworks in the free ateliers in this activity center

VoxHall, Vester Alle 15, ☎+45 87 30 97 97, [19]. Basically a concert hall, with a good, tightly planned concert schedule. Tickets are usually bought at the door, but if you're going to a major concert, buy before-hand!

Learn

There are many colleges and schools of higher education in the city, the biggest of which is Aarhus University[73] (Da. Aarhus Universitet), with around 35.000 students, also including the Aarhus School of Business[74]. This means that the city is crowded with students.

Learn Danish in the Universitys Danish Courses [75] or in the LærDansk [76].

Work

Buy

Strøget

There is a pedestrian shopping street (Strøget), highlighted by upscale Scandinavian clothing shops and Salling and Magasin department stores.

Bruun's Galleri[77] Located next to the railway station. The biggest city mall in Denmark with 95 shops and a cinema. (there are plans of expanding Bruun's Galleri over the traintracks running next to it).

"The Latin Quarter" - so called by the locals - is the shopping district north of Store Torv between Guldsmedgade and Mejlgade. Here you will find the small 'independent' shops and some of the city's oldest cafés.

Eat

There are hundreds of restaurants in Århus, reaching from cheap kebab joints, to high-class dining. Århus is generally known as one of the best places to eat in Denmark, probably due to the strong competition. However, the best places are not necessarily located on the most prominent addresses, so a bit of browsing is recommended. You could also try Åen - walk down "the river" in the city center, there are lots of restaurants and cafes with high standard.

The locals regularly frequent the many cafés when going out for a meal. Besides being the best option for breakfast, brunch and lunch, most cafés serve excellent home made burgers, salads, sandwiches, soups and snacks at reasonable prices.

Casa Mia, Tordenskjoldsgade 12, [20]. Nice and cosy italian restaurant serving simple and tasty pizzas and pasta dishes. Enjoy the food at the restaurant, or have it as take away. Pizza about 60 DKK.

Havnens Perle, Sverigesgade 1A, ☎+45 86 13 22 56, [21]. Located at the harbour. This place has been awarded the best danish barbecue restaurant in Aarhus. Enjoy a fresh made burger, hotdogs or a traditional danish meal with pork, potatoes and loads of cream sauce. A main meal is around 68 DKK and they serve more roadhouse-style food than restaurant - ensure you check out the website before making the trip out there.

Restaurant Koch, Pakkerivej 2, ☎+45 86 18 64 00, [22]. in the harbour has only one menu at DKK 1000. Open Thursday and Friday night only

Restaurant Seafood, Marselisborg Havnevej 44, ☎+45 86 18 56 55, [23]. Located at the marina they serve, as the name suggests, seafood. The food is photo-worthy when served and tastes equally as good. The menu even comes with a translation page in case you're not familiar with Danish, although it's easier to just get the waiter to translate for you!

Latin Brasserie and Creperie, Klostergade 2, ☎+45 86 13 78 12. located on a corner in the Latin Quarter. They serve good mussels with handcut chips.

Schweizer Bageriet, M.P. Bruuns Gade 56. Located up the hill south of the railway station. A tasty bakery full of danish delights - perfect for breakfast, although you'll have to find your coffee elsewhere.

Sidebar, Skolegade 21 (behind the Aarhus Theater), ☎86 13 72 00, [26]. Innovative 'food for sharing' features food from around the world. International environment and world-class service. Kitchen open until midnight.

Skovmøllen, Skovmøllevej 51, ☎+45 86 27 12 14, [27]. Eat your lunch in an old watermill in the forest, then stroll along the stream, running through a beech forest down to the beach.

Valhalla, Åboulevarden 35, ☎+45 86 13 27 47, [28]. located under the bridge beneath the main pedestrian street Strøget. You can enjoy a 1 hour all you can eat buffet feast which includes food, drinks (including pulling your own beers), and dessert for around DKK 150.

Drink

Århus river

Aarhus's large student population fuels a lively nightlife. There is a robust nightlife for those who are looking for a night on the town. Århus can deliver everything from big mainstream clubs to small alternative hangouts playing niche music.

Prices for food and drink are higher than in other parts of Europe, especially near the river (Å in Danish). The favorite local beers are Tuborg, Carlsberg and Ceres (which is brewed approximately 1km away from most of the clubs!)

Ris Ras Filliongongong, Mejlgade 24, ☎+45 86 18 50 06, [37]. M-Sa noon-02,Su 14-19. Also just known as Ris Ras, this cozy and alternative bar offers a great variety of beers, rums and... Hookahs! When the tiny bar gets packed, you can find more secluded - but not less cozy - rooms in the basement.

Social Club, Klostergade 34, ☎+45 86 19 42 50, [38]. Th-Sa 23-??. Biggest and best student club in Århus. Inside there are two separate discos and a nice arrangement of dance floors. They are very strict on the Student ID so don't forget it, but you can get it for a 50 DKK fee. Furthermore, "Happy hour" at Social Club can be very happy indeed - they serve free beer from 23:00-24:00. If you're lucky enough that it's your birthday that night, they will give you a free bottle of vodka and sodas. Beer 40kr (After happy hour), Drinks 45kr for a double..

Den Sidste[83], Paradisgade 9. Literally "The last one" in Danish. Fills up when other clubs close up. Beer 20kr.

Thorups Kælder[84] is the city’s oldest basement, reputedly built in the 13th century by Cistercian monks. Today you can enjoy a drink or two in this basement bar where you can almost hear the rustling sound of the monks’ habits sweeping across the floor.

Medium to expensive

Hotel Guldsmeden Aarhus[93] - Small hotel situated in the old town in the very heart of Aarhus. Two stars.

Comfort Hotel Atlantic. The Comfort Hotel Atlantic is set in a modern building with views across the picturesque harbor and the city of Aarhus in Denmark. Three stars.

Hotel Mercur[94]. Hotel Mercur in Viby Aarhus occupies a modern tower situated just outside the city center, near the main approach roads to the city, 500 meters from the E45 motorway. Three stars.

Hotel Villa Provence[95] A small French oasis bursting with an almost private atmosphere and character, right in the heart of Aarhus. Three stars.

Hotel Ritz[96] Best Western hotel, just next to the train station. Three stars.

Plaza Aarhus Scandic[97]. The Scandic Plaza Aarhus is a modern hotel set in the town's pedestrianised shopping area, two kilometres from the old town. Three stars.

Scandic Aarhus[98]. Built in 1989, the Scandic Aarhus is a six-storey hotel, located two kilometres from the Old Town and four kilometres from the city center and train station. Aarhus Tirstrup Airport is 50km from the hotel, with an approximate driving time of 45 minutes. Three stars.

Hotel Royal[100]. Luxury hotel situated in the centre of Aarhus. Four stars.

Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel Arhus[101]. The sleek Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel with its minimal brick exterior, is in Aarhus's Margrethepladsen, next to the concert hall and less than one kilometer from the city center. Four stars.

Helnan Marselis Hotel[102]. The monumental Helnan Marselis waterfront hotel was designed by Danish architects Friis and Molkte and completed in 1967. Four stars.

Havnehotellet[103]. A clean hotel right on the marina. The hotel is unmanned and so check-in is done on a computer. The marina is a nice place to sit and watch the sunset with a bottle of wine from the vending machine! (no mini-bars) and is only a 5 minute walk from the main city centre, although you can catch the bus if you want. There are a couple of restaurants and an ice-cream shop there so you don't have to leave the marina if you don't want to.

Get out

Århus is surrounded by beautiful beech forests; take a walk in Marselisborgskoven or in the deer park.

As a coastal city, there are many beaches to walk - just remember warm clothes October through early April. There are history trails from Moesgaard Museum right down to the water, with reconstructed stone age, iron age and viking houses and tombs, rune stones etc.

The local soccer team AGF, plays their home games at Atletion[104], which can hold around 21.000 in attendance. If you're a soccer fan, don't miss a home game (Played on Saturdays or Sundays) as the atmosphere is amazing during game night!

Djurs Sommerland[105], amusement park has Denmarks largest rollercoaster. Can be reached with buses 121, 122 and 123 in 1h15m. Discount if buying your entrance ticket in the bus (you only pay DKK 20,- extra for the bustrip there and back).

Ebeltoft is a quaint little town about an hour bus ride away. You can catch bus 123 with a day ticket costing DKK 125 (note that you can use this to also get out to the airport if arriving/leaving the same day). It has one main cobblestone street lined with shops and cafes and you can visit the glass museum (it has a mirror room that you can walk in!) or the world's longest wooden ship. The actual bus ride there takes you through some lovely green hilly countryside too. Just make sure you get off at the station called Ebeltoft C rather than waiting till the end of the line which is the Ebeltoft bus station... unless you enjoy a bit of a walk which one could say is a nice way to view the residential streets one wouldn't normally have done!

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!